Wolverhampton Wanderers have made an emphatic start to their summer rebuild, securing two seasoned 35-year-olds on free transfers as Wolves prepare for life in the Championship. Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez have both committed to two-year deals at Molineux, with Jimenez's agreement carrying the option of a further year.
The double swoop hands the club a substantial injection of experience and leadership at a pivotal moment. Relegated from the Premier League last season after finishing bottom, Wolves are looking to bounce straight back to the top flight at the first attempt, and will compete in the second tier for the first time since 2017-18. That both arrivals have been completed without a transfer fee makes the early business all the more shrewd.
A hero returns to Molineux
Of the two captures, Jimenez's is the more emotional. The striker rejoins the club where he became a firm favourite, having plundered 57 goals in 166 appearances between 2018 and 2023 following his move from Benfica. His goals and presence were central to some of Wolves' most memorable recent campaigns, and his name still carries genuine weight among the Old Gold faithful.
The Mexico international leaves Fulham as a free agent, having been listed by the Cottagers among a group of players departing when their contracts expire at the end of June. He has completed a medical, and the option for a third year underlines the club's belief that he still has plenty to offer at Championship level and beyond.
The agreement was struck while Jimenez is away on international duty with Mexico, co-hosts of the World Cup. Mexico open their tournament against South Africa on Thursday, and Jimenez's return to England will be one to look forward to once his summer commitments are complete.
Trippier the statement signing
Trippier was the first piece of the jigsaw, arriving as a free agent after a hugely successful four-year spell with Newcastle United. His leadership set the tone for the Magpies' re-emergence under Eddie Howe, helping to drag the club from the brink of relegation to Champions League football and a new era on Tyneside.
Born in Bury, Greater Manchester, Trippier began his career at nearby Manchester City before making his first senior steps with loan spells at Barnsley and Burnley. A permanent move to Turf Moor followed, and he played a key role in helping the Clarets reach the Premier League in 2014.
Once established as a top-flight defender, Trippier went on to play Champions League football with Tottenham Hotspur, reaching the final in 2019. He made his senior England debut against France in June 2017 and went on to earn 54 caps for the Three Lions, collecting runners-up medals at both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. He is perhaps best remembered internationally for his stunning free-kick in the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia, in a game England would ultimately lose.
The full-back also tasted success in Spain, lifting the La Liga title with Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid in 2021 — a move that made him Atleti's first English player in 95 years — before heading to St James' Park six months later. It is that blend of pedigree, silverware and big-game know-how that Wolves hope will rub off on a squad in transition.
What the club said
Executive chairman Nathan Shi was effusive about the calibre of player Wolves have managed to attract. "Throughout his career, Kieran has performed at the very highest level, so we are delighted he has chosen Wolves for the next chapter of his journey," he said.
"He is a player with incredible quality, his leadership attributes are second to none, and he also possesses an innate will to win, while his experiences in the Premier League, Champions League and on the international stage will be invaluable to our squad. We know the challenge ahead of us in the Championship, but Kieran's signing shows just how ambitious we want to be."
Technical director Matt Jackson described Trippier as the club's clear priority. "He was very much the number one target for us, and managing to bring Kieran here early in the window, where we can plan, and then have him join us on the first day of pre-season, was vitally important. It's testimony to everybody at the football club that someone who's had the career Kieran has had can be drawn to this project."
Building with purpose
The timing is significant, with Wolves preparing to mark their 150th anniversary season. Rather than gambling on unproven talent, the club has moved decisively for two players whose experience, professionalism and standards should help steady a dressing room adjusting to second-tier football.
The recruitment theme is clear. Leadership, resilience and a proven ability to win promotions and trophies sit at the heart of both deals, and the early completion of the business gives the coaching staff time to integrate the new arrivals before the season begins in earnest. For a fanbase eager to see ambition matched by action, the capture of Trippier and Jimenez represents a statement of intent — and an encouraging foundation for the promotion push to come.
